Challengers (2024)

Challengers is a tennis drama and love triangle.

I knew the film was going to hit on LGBTQ themes just based on who the director was, Luca Guadagnino. You'll know him from Call Me By Your Name. There's nothing wrong with his editing and camera choices but I would have reshot some scenes with Zendaya.

Zendaya, despite the poster, is frowning pretty much the entire film. She's supposed to be a former tennis player, mother, and wife, but she acts like a spoiled brat. I don't believe the director intended her to be disliked at the beginning as the film makes her out to be the victim of circumstance and patriarchy.

Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor play the two men in the love triangle. It's not your traditional love triangle. They have a hard time selling being attracted to her but easily sell that they're attracted to each other.

The score was distracting and the writing was erotic fantasy with a super drawn-out ending. The film doesn't understand tennis and has a warped sense of modern-day dating. Result: D

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